My Take on Dangerous Game Scopes

[Philip Glass]

@Philip Glass you always have good insights, but I would say your DG scope preferences are on the opposite extreme of the fellow that likes a 1-4x30mm. A 13x DG magnification, or even a 3-9x40mm is very, very large. I don’t mind differences in preferences, but the real battle of opinions comes down to the stock design and how low the rings can be in your extreme or the opposite example I gave. (I’m the middle-ground guy that likes a 1-6x24mm)

If you can’t bring the scope to your eye and instantly fire as though shooting a shotgun bead, you’ve got serious issues with your optics. A 1.7-13x set at 1.7x *might* be okay provided that you can get rings low enough or a stock comb high enough that it is instinctive and instantaneous alignment on the target. That is not super likely for the average configuration I’ve seen, more so to blame on the abhorrent modern Monte Carlo stocks designed for Medium and High rings than anything else.

I don’t dislike your opinion even though it differs from mine, but we do need to put some caveats out to the readers that may not understand how important ring height and comb height comes into play in these considerations too.

Thanks for your thoughts. I always respect your opinion even if we differ! That said, everything you say tells me you may not have really watched the video or did so without an open mind or maybe preconceived notions.
1. 13x is only large if you are stuck in the past and the tradition that is handicapping hunters especially once the buff is down and we are on to PG. (see my story in video)
2. There is no practical difference in functionality at close range between 1x and 1.7x or even 2x. So no there is no low end advantage to the 1x. I know because I have both scopes mentioned. Those who have criticized my take in this video do NOT have both (3 in video) scopes but they opine anyway. The Swaro has the option of red dot and circle dot so the target acquisition in close quarters is superior to all others without this feature. (***caveat: many hunters did not grow up shooting open sights and have a devil of a time with target acquisition. I can't help that no matter the optic/sight)
3. The Swaro I mention in 1.7-13x is a very compact scope and not materially larger than your (or mine that sits in a drawer) 1-6x. There will be virtually no difference in mounting between these scopes.
4. You will get no argument from me on rifle fit. We can both agree that having a competent gunsmith fit you to your DG rifle before you go in a DG hunt is of utmost importance!

 

[Daisy]

@Philip Glass you always have good insights, but I would say your DG scope preferences are on the opposite extreme of the fellow that likes a 1-4x30mm. A 13x DG magnification, or even a 3-9x40mm is very, very large. I don’t mind differences in preferences, but the real battle of opinions comes down to the stock design and how low the rings can be in your extreme or the opposite example I gave. (I’m the middle-ground guy that likes a 1-6x24mm)

If you can’t bring the scope to your eye and instantly fire as though shooting a shotgun bead, you’ve got serious issues with your optics. A 1.7-13x set at 1.7x *might* be okay provided that you can get rings low enough or a stock comb high enough that it is instinctive and instantaneous alignment on the target. That is not super likely for the average configuration I’ve seen, more so to blame on the abhorrent modern Monte Carlo stocks designed for Medium and High rings than anything else.

I don’t dislike your opinion even though it differs from mine, but we do need to put some caveats out to the readers that may not understand how important ring height and comb height comes into play in these considerations too.

I like his recommendation on a 375 that might shoot DG but is still and all around rifle. The “one rifle” man.

For my 416 I still use a 1-5x.

 

[rookhawk]

I like his recommendation on a 375 that might shoot DG but is still and all around rifle. The “one rifle” man.

For my 416 I still use a 1-5x.

For a .375HH its pretty hard to top the relatively new Swarovski 1-8x with the illuminated #4 reticle that can also be a circle dot reticle. At one power in a perfectly configured set of rings, it can come up instantly for an iron-sight quick dangerous game shot. For plains game the 8x in bright conditions is beyond plenty for shots inside of 300 yards.

I use that optic on my 7x57 single shot and just love it for all scenarios, but it is better than a 1-6x for a 375HH just for the additional versatility.